07 Jan
Nurtureshock, The Culture of Fear, and Vote for February’s Book Club Pick
December is over, and that means I’ve published my thoughts regarding the book club pick for that month. Visit the comment section of the Nurtureshock post to learn why I liked the book, and what things I’ve decided to implement in my parenting techniques and practices.
The January book club pick is The Culture of Fear. It’s 10 years old, but I started it tonight and I can already tell it’s a great thing to read if you want to be a little more savvy in regards to what you read/see in the media (especially in light of the ridiculous reports on things like birds dropping from the sky (oh noes!)). I’ll put up the discussion post for it in the next few days.
It’s also time to vote on the pick for February. Click on any of the images below to be taken to the Goodreads site for that book, which includes a short description of the content.
Also:
I'm a farm-raised almost-crunchy stroller-pushing picture-taking lifestyle-blog-writing gastronomy-obsessed divine-seeking thrift-store-combing cheese-inhaling pavement-pounding laughter-sprinkling lover of individuality and taking chances.
I listen to RadioLab (highly recommend) and on one of their shows, called “Famous Tumors” they talk about this Henrietta Lacks case. It was extremely interesting and I may find this book on my own to read even if it doesn’t end up getting picked.
Jenna Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 10:24 am
That is where I learned about this book! I learn about a lot of non-fiction books from Radio Lab, This American Life, and Planet Mkney.
Sophia Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 10:32 am
That’s where I heard about it too
Love NPR!
Emmie Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 6:51 pm
I love Radio Lab. Oh Harold.
I just finished the Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and *highly* recommend it!
2My plan is to pick up “The Culture of Fear” at the downtown Chicago library today after work. There are many copies available for those in the Chicago area.
For February I voted for the one on the American school system. This is something I’ve become more interested in the past few years and now even more when I think about having kids.
Naomi Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 1:04 pm
Ended up going on my lunch break. I have the book and will be joining for the first time. Also picked up Nurtureshock while there and will attempt to complete both books this month.
Looks like a good list! I think the one that looks at the school system sounds interesting - but I’m a bit biased.
4If you choose the HeLa book I’ll probably join in the book club for my first time!
5Ack! I so behind. I haven’t even started Nurturshock yet. I’ve got it on audiobook so I think I need to listen in the car or while I cook dinner or something.
I’m not going to vote this time because I may or may not have time to catch up in February. They all look interesting to me though, so I’ll go along with the crowd!
Jenna Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 10:35 am
Just come and comment whenever you finish. It’s the beauty of non-fiction, you don’t have to worry about any spoilers!
Also, remember that one time that we tweeter back and forth as we were reading? That was so fun! Feel free to do that again.
Sarah for Real Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 2:31 pm
Ok! It was fun!
Btw, I don’t get an email anymore when someone replies to my comments… I really loved that feature. Did I mess something up?
Jenna Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 3:38 pm
Did you unchecked the box under the box where you write in your comment?
Sarah for Real Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 7:49 pm
No it was checked… I just double checked it right now. Check! Haha, test?
Jenna Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 8:06 pm
Here is my reply! Is it working? It would make me SOOO sad if that plugin stopped working!
Sarah for Real Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 8:22 pm
No dice. Maybe it’s just me?
First choice for me is the School System book [Jenna, did you see Waiting for Superman?] and second would be the IQ book. Hope to keep up with the reading for February - I missed the January boat already!
Jenna Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 10:36 am
I have it on my Netflix queue and I think it should get here soon. In watched The Lottery, which was pretty heartbreaking
Kate Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Waiting for Superman is also a bit heartbreaking, but if you’re interested in education, an interesting perspective.
I want to read all of these!
Also, was it you who mentioned “Half the Sky” in one of the book club posts?
I am reading it now and it is AMAZING.
Jenna Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 11:19 am
Yes! I’ll reintroduce it eventually (or read it myself), but it never wins the vote. I’m guessing because so many others have read it that they don’t want to vote for it!
once I get my Kindle in the mail, I’m going to get this book, and follow along! I’ve read a sample, and it’s really interesting. not the type of thing I usually read, which will be a nice change!
Evan Schulte Reply:
January 10th, 2011 at 3:09 pm
I am waiting for my Kindle as well. We have a bunch of snow at my house so they have to keep returning it to be sent the next day. I even paid for overnight delivery, and I am still waiting.
april Reply:
January 10th, 2011 at 3:12 pm
Have you called Amazon? Mine was just on back order, so hopefully it won’t be late, we don’t have snow here.
This is the first one I am joining in on. Pretty excited!
10I just finished the Henrietta Lacks book and it was absolutely fascinating. I’m a teacher, so the school system book looks really interesting.
11I read Henrietta Lacks last year when it first came out, and you ladies need to read it. It was definitely my favorite book of 2010, and being in a local book club (and an avid reader) I read A LOT of books last year.
Enjoy!
12Interesting books this month. After spending 8 years on a
state education board I am interested to see if “The Death and Life
of the Great American School System” reflects my experience.I
learned about education as a parent, then as an educational program
developer. But my eyes were opened to the dirty little secrets of
education serving on the state board. Next I considered: “The
Genius in all”. I already believe God gives each of us unique
talents/gifts and it is up to us to choose to develop each. But I
love a good story which puts “The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks”
as my top pick.
Jenna Reply:
January 7th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
I hope you’ll read along Mom! Now you might be able to buy them digitally and read it on your iPad
I heard about the Henrietta Lacks book on NPR, so I’m excited it has the most votes right now. Really want to read it!
14Hey Jenna! Don’t think I’ll be able to participate in book club, but I just have to put in my $.02 for Henrietta Lacks. I don’t tend to get on a soapbox too often, but I have with this book- I think it’s imperative for every person ever to read it, and I’ve been recommending it to everyone I know.. It’s so important. Hope people will read it whether or not it’s the book club selection!
15I had to follow the link and find out about Henrietta Lacks. I HAVE to read that now. It sounds a bit like Miss Evers Boys…the story of using African Americans as test subjects for Syphilis.
16Jenna, you have the best taste in books!
Jenna Reply:
January 10th, 2011 at 7:27 pm
This is so kind, thank you!